Drafter
Clerk 02/26/2009
Title
An ORDINANCE directing the water and land resources division to identify locations for the stockpiling of materials and equipment for sandbags to be provided free of charge to the public and to increase public awareness of these locations in the event of flooding.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. King County has experienced numerous destructive flooding events over the past several decades, causing significant damage to homes and properties.
B. Sandbags are often relied upon to provide the last line of defense against the impacts of flood waters on properties, residences and businesses.
C. The King County water and land resources division is the agency relied upon by county residents to assist them during flood events.
D. The water and land resources division has recognized the value of using sandbags for protection of properties and structures and has begun:
1. Seeking to stockpile sand and bags at various locations that would be accessible to residents during a flood event; and
2. Creation of a means to communicate the locations of these stockpiles to county residents.
E. This effort benefits both residents and the county by reducing the chance of flooding damage, but may have a detrimental fiscal impact on the water and land resources division.
SECTION 2. To increase the ability to reduce flood damage, the King County council directs the water and land resources division to:
A. Create stockpiles of materials for sandbags to be made available at multiple locations in each major watershed in King County free of charge during the flood season;
B. Communicate the availability of these sandbags to the public; and
C. Provide a report to the council detailing the plan for providing this service and the fiscal impacts of these efforts by May 31, 2009.
The report must be filed in the form of eleven copies with the clerk of the council,
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